October 2025

NEUROSCIENCES

ALI BAAJ, MD, LEADS SPINE SURGERY INNOVATION AND GLOBAL OUTREACH AT NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE

Northwestern Medicine is proud to announce the addition of Ali A. Baaj, MD, a distinguished spine neurosurgeon, to the Department of Neurosurgery. A fellowship-trained and board-certified academic neurosurgeon, Dr. Baaj specializes in complex spine surgery. He brings a wealth of expertise in both traditional and innovative minimally invasive techniques for treating spinal degenerative disease, trauma, tumors and scoliosis in adults and adolescents. He’s focused on using less invasive techniques and technology, including computer-assisted surgery and robotics, for complex spine conditions.
 
Dr. Baaj has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and co-edited four influential textbooks on spine surgery, including the third edition of the Handbook of Spine Surgery. He has delivered over 100 invited national and international presentations and has participated in dozens of spine courses worldwide either as chair or faculty. Dr. Baaj founded the Virtual Global Spine Conference, a weekly global teleconference spine program launched during the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to engage physicians and trainees.
 
Over the past decade, Dr. Baaj has developed significant clinical and academic collaborations globally. He has mentored research and clinical fellows from around the world. His dedication to creating pathways for international students to pursue advanced neurosurgical training in the U.S will serve him well in his role as vice chair for International Outreach in Neurosurgery — the first of its kind in our department. Since his arrival, our department has established an international fellowship track, marking Northwestern Medicine's first international fellowship and one of only a few such programs in the U.S. 
 
In addition, Dr. Baaj is the director of Technology, Innovation and Fellowship programs in Spine Surgery, significantly enhancing our capabilities in neurosurgical training and patient care.
 
Watch the video to discover how Northwestern Medicine, with Dr. Baaj’s expertise, is shaping the future of neurosurgery.
Ali A. Baaj, MD, is the vice chair of International Outreach, director of Innovation & Technology in Spine Surgery, director of the Fellowship Program in Spine Surgery, and professor of Neurosurgery at Northwestern Medicine.

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